Before this directive, each CNIC holder could own 10 SIMs of one operator, or 40 SIMs of 4 cellular operators at most. But according to the new rule, one customer will be able to hold maximum of 5 SIMs against his/her CNIC of one or multiple operators.

“Maximum number of SIM(s) to be issued to individual CNIC holders – All CNIC holders shall be entitled to purchase in their name up to a maximum of five SIM(s) whether from one or more operators”

Reportedly, the directive has been received by mobile cellular operators and they are evaluating their options for the implementation of this order.

The status of those connections that have been sold in past and are in access of 5 in number on one CNIC is still unclear. Industry is hoping that this rule will be applicable on new sales only and those connections that have already been sold will not be impacted.

An official of a cellular operator argued that directive from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority doesn’t explain the status of already sold SIMs, for which industry will wait for Standard Operating Procedures that might not be made available soon given the Chairman PTA is stepping down on July 24th, 2012.

Officials of telecom industry believe that issuing the directive is meaningless unless the standard operating procedures aren’t revised by PTA. He maintained that blockade of old connections exceeding 5 SIMs on single CNIC will arise serious issues for customers and mobile companies.

Analysts believe that this directive is not implementable unless authority keeps a check on mobile companies’ records. They opined that cellular mobile operators will have to keep track of number of SIMs issued on one CNIC and should deny activation for more than 5 SIMs on single CNIC at 789 activation phase – which isn’t happening as of now at least.

A legal expert, when contacted for opinion, said that Supreme Court can take suo motu notice if its judgments aren’t implemented by PTA, for which telecom authority is suppose to submit a compliance report with in specific time frame.

It is feared that number of mobile connection will notably come down if this rule of 5 SIMs on single CNIC is implemented on already sold SIMs too.

Note: Customers can check number of SIMs issued on their CNIC through 668 service or by clicking on this link: http://www.pta.gov.pk/668/.

people are confusing this new update with the previous one. Guys before it was 5 sims if each network could be registered on 1 CNIC but now the total number from all the networks is 5. Either u get one sim from each network or get 5 sims from one network and ur limit is over

http://www.evisionas.com/ Mushtaque

Very good step.

afzal

0345-0305-0331-0312-0322 9440929 the same number in five codes.afzal

imran

can anyone tell how I can check from mobile number that whose name is registered on it ???